TEEWA

Children born with HIV who receive antiretroviral (ARV) therapy have increasingly high survival rates and are now entering adolescence and adulthood. However, reports suggest higher treatment failure and mortality rates in adolescents.

ObjectivesThe overall objective of the proposed study is to assess the situation and the needs of perinatally HIV infected children on lifelong ARV therapy, who are now entering adolescence and adulthood, in the Thai setting.

MethodsThe data collection consists of paired interviews: a self administered questionnaire filled by the HIV-infected adolescent receiving ARV (12-19 years) linked to the interview of his/her caregiver who will provide the difficult or sensitive information about the adolescents’ life. Children living in family setting as well as children living in orphanages will participate in the study.A reference group will be composed of uninfected adolescents matched by age, sex and area of residence drawn from the general population (randomly selected through the same primary health centers) or other uninfected adolescents living in orphanages (12-19 years old).

Preliminary resultsAs of September 1st 2011, 462 caregivers and their HIV-infected adolescents agreed to participate in the study.The majority of caregivers are women. Only 31% of them are parents and the majority are grand-parents.